Philippine destinations are on a roll this year, with Siargao earning the latest international praise from luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, which named it eighth among 20 best holiday destinations for 2020 besting Kyoto, Japan and Paris, France.

Foreigners enjoy the waves in Talisay, one of the surfing spots in Barangay Union, Dapa town in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on January 11, 2020. Siargao Island is expected to draw more tourists this year as it is being hailed among the top 20 best destinations in the world, according to Condé Nast Traveler, a renowned travel magazine. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

Described as a tiny Philippine island giving Bali a run for its money, Condé Nast Traveler hailed the teardrop-shaped tropical island for “its gnarly surf breaks, including the legendary Cloud 9 barreling wave.”

“Siargao is fringed with pristine beaches, tree frog-green mangrove forests, and sweeping groves of coconut palms, and it’s little wonder tourism here is gathering pace,” CNT writers Lizzie Pook and Tabitha Joyce said.

“Less than a 10th of the size of Bali, the island feels the way the Indonesian hotspot did three decades ago: scooters with surfboard racks ferry people about the streets, convenience stores pour petrol from glass Coca Cola bottles and farmers sell rice – dried on tarpaulins at the side of the main road –at the local market,” they added.

Siargao was also praised for the variety of activities it offers aside from surfing, such as island-hopping to the nearby white sand-ringed islets of Daku, Guyam, and Naked Island.

Clown fish are among the few species found in one of the marine sanctuaries in General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. MindaNews File photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

“And here at Condé Nast Traveler, we always have one eye on the surf scene (where boarders flock, eco-entrepreneurs, independent hotels, and small businesses tend to follow), and we’re predicting that during the next year, a tiny Philippine island will be stealing a cool crowd (whether they surf or not) from Bali,” the CNT editorial wrote. 

Foreign tourists enjoy the water and the rock formation at the Magpupungko Beach and Tidal Pools in the municipality of Pilar, Siargao Island. They waited for the low tide to enjoy the tidal pools. MindaNews file photo by Roel N. Catoto.

Siargao bested Kyoto, Japan at rank 20 and Paris, France which was ninth on the list. 

In 2018, Condé Nast Traveler also named the island as the 2018 Top Island in Asia. 

  • These motorized bancas, seen sitting idly by the beach are the main mode of transportation of tourists coming to the beautiful white sandy beach of Daku Island in General Luna, Siargao Island.MindaNews File Photo photo by ROEL N. CATOTO
  • Non-surfers may enjoy the white sand beach of Guyam Islet in General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, the country's surfing capital. This islet has become one of the favorite getaways for beachgoers and island hoppers. Photo taken on January 9, 2018. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO
  • A Korean tourist pushes his motorbike with surfboard rack to the roadside in Cloud Nine, General Luna, Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte. This is a usual scene in the country’s surfing capital. MindaNews File photo by Roel N. Catoto